U.S. Forest Service · Colville National Forest · Metaline Falls, WA

West Sullivan

West Sullivan Campground is located at the north end of Sullivan Lake and about five miles east of Metaline Falls in northeast Washington. The campground provides a unique environment where campers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: first-come in Washington · reservable in Washington · pets allowed in Washington · group sites in Washington

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
West SullivanWEST SULLIVANWEST SULLIVANWEST SULLIVAN
Photos courtesy of Scenic Canyons Recreational Services, Inc · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups10
group shelter nonelectric1
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfacePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
001StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes
002StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1Yes
003StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes
004StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes
005StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 1YesYes
006StandardBack-in25Gravel8 / 1YesYes
007StandardBack-in28Gravel8 / 1YesYes
008StandardBack-in28Gravel8 / 2Yes
009StandardBack-in35Gravel8 / 2Yes
010StandardBack-in30Gravel8 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length35 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites 001, 002, 003, 004 and 4 more are listed accessible

All sites at West Sullivan are accessible and the parking aprons are gravel and grass. Campsites do not have electric hookups, but each one comes with a picnic table and fire ring. Drinking water, accessible vault toilets, garbage service and food storage containers are provided.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay 24 to Labor Day Weekend
ForestColville National Forest
BookingSites are available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation at Recreation.gov (1-877-444-6777). Picnic shelter available for reservation through camp host.
FeesCamping: $29/single site. Pavilion: $55. Extra vehicle: none. Day use: $10. Season Pass for Colville Only: $52. Season Pass for Colville and Idaho Panhandle: $52
RulesWashington state fishing license required. Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Campfire in developed fire ring only. Fireworks are prohibited. Pets must be on leash. OHV use prohibited in the campground. Maximum length of stay: 14 days. Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times

Colville National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near West Sullivan20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 3.10 inches of precipitation, 18.5 inches of snowFebruary: 1.98 inches of precipitation, 7.7 inches of snowMarch: 2.35 inches of precipitation, 3.4 inches of snowApril: 2.21 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowMay: 2.60 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 3.18 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 1.42 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.81 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.32 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.40 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowNovember: 3.23 inches of precipitation, 6.8 inches of snowDecember: 3.60 inches of precipitation, 18.2 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 26.7°F averageFebruary: 29.9°F averageMarch: 37.1°F averageApril: 45.3°F averageMay: 54.0°F averageJune: 60.1°F averageJuly: 67.8°F averageAugust: 67.2°F averageSeptember: 57.8°F averageOctober: 45.2°F averageNovember: 34.2°F averageDecember: 26.8°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Boundary Dam, 10 miles from the campground at 1,837 feet, station USC00450844 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 28 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 55 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Campground is located 90 miles from Spokane. From the junction of Highway 20, take Highway 31 north towards Ione for 3 miles. About 1 mile south of Ione, turn onto the Sullivan Lake Road (County Road 9345). Travel 12 miles to the north end of Sullivan Lake. Campground is located across from the Ranger Station.

Nearest townMetaline Falls, Washington
Coordinates48.8614° N, 117.2883° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Sl Rx - Ione

    12 mi from the campground

  • Wildfire
    Parker Lake

    30 mi from the campground · 1,531 acres · 1% contained

  • Wildfire
    Upper Smith

    31 mi from the campground · 4,848 acres · 41% contained

  • Prescribed
    Lpr Rx - Paulke

    32 mi from the campground · 331 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗26.9 mi
Outdoor gearAnacortes Telescope & Wild Bird ↗35.8 mi
RV sales & serviceKootenay RV ↗39 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Sullivan's Resort & Campground, Brainerd, Minnesota - Resort Reviews

  • 0.5 mi
    Elk Creek
    2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.5 mi
    Red Bluff ↗
    5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
  • 0.5 mi
    Sullivan Creek
    2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.5 mi
    South Mill Pond
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.8 mi
    Mill Pond Flume
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1.5 mi
    Sullivan Lake ↗
    4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

This small campground is located in a mixed stand of conifer trees with a dense understory that offers privacy between campsites. It sits at 2700 feet in elevation on the lakeshore. Sullivan Lake covers 1291 acres and has a depth of 320 feet. Hall Mountain rises abruptly from the eastern shore of the lake to a height of over 6000 feet. A small airstrip lies adjacent to the campground and allows campers to fly in by chartering a plane or bringing their own small aircraft. The forest boasts exciting wildlife such as grizzly and black bears, cougars, bald eagles and the last remaining herd of woodland caribou in the United States.

Recreation

The Sullivan Lake Basin provides campers with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and hiking. Fishing in this deep mountain lake is most successful from a boat. Common fish species in the lake include burbot (ling cod) and Kokanee salmon. Canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding are among the most popular water sports on the lake. Campers and walk directly from their campsite to a designated swimming area on the lake. Also, within walking distance are a short nature trail and the Lakeshore Trail, a designated National Scenic Trail that runs along the eastern shore of the lake. This 4.2 mile trail offers viewpoints of the lake and is a popular day hike for all ages. The nearby Salmo-Priest Wilderness offers multiple day outings with many excellent hikes and picturesque scenery. Boat ramps are located on the north and south ends of the lake in East Sullivan and Noisy Creek Campgrounds. Mountain bikers can enjoy several surrounding Forest Service roads and trails.

Nearby

The Mill Pond Historic Site, located 2 miles north of the campground, details the early history of Metaline Falls through a series of interpretive signing. A historic cabin is located along the interpretive trail which travels over the Mill Pond Spillway. A scenic drive along the International Selkirk Loop offers numerous scenic attractions. Several forest road systems in the immediate vicinity offer great views of the Selkirk Mountains. Sullivan Lake is about four miles southeast of Metaline Falls, a quaint town with historic buildings. Crawford State Park is located on the west side of the Pend Oreille River near the U.S.- Canada border. In the summer, a park ranger conducts under-ground tours of Gardiner Cave, the main attraction at this park. Seattle City Light offers tours of their Boundary Hydroelectric Project, on the main-stem Pend Oreille River one mile from the international border.

Guidebooks for Washington

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Washington
    Ellie Kozlowski, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Washington camping
    Tom Stienstra, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Waterfalls in Washington
    Sawyer Scheer, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at West Sullivan?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at West Sullivan?

Camping: $29/single site. Pavilion: $55. Extra vehicle: none.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at West Sullivan?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is West Sullivan open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 24 to Labor Day Weekend.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does West Sullivan have?

11 sites, including 10 standard sites without power and 1 group shelter nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at West Sullivan?

The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at West Sullivan?

Yes, pets are allowed at West Sullivan. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at West Sullivan?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Washington state fishing license required.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at West Sullivan?

Sites 001, 002, 003, and 004 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 8 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at West Sullivan?

The Sullivan Lake Basin provides campers with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to West Sullivan?

Metaline Falls, Washington. The Mill Pond Historic Site, located 2 miles north of the campground, details the early history of Metaline Falls through a series of interpretive signing.

Source: Getting there

What if West Sullivan is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are East Sullivan (0.3 mi), Mill Pond Campground (0.5 mi, first-come), and Noisy Creek (5.4 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby